Invasive Plants

Full Listing of Weeds | Noxious Weed Listing | Weeds Glossary | Victoria's Noxious Weeds Review | Invasiveness Assessment Report (2002) | Weeds References

The Australian Weeds Strategy defines a weed as a plant that requires some form of action to reduce its harmful effects on the economy, the environment, human health and amenity. Weeds may be native plants that have spread in response to changed conditions, but are often plants that have been introduced from outside Australia. Introduced plants have been estimated to comprise some 30% of Victoria’s flora species (Walsh and Stajsic 2007). Weeds can broadly be grouped as environmental weeds or agricultural weeds, according to the systems they affect. Many weeds may be both. Some weeds have been declared noxious under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and various legal obligations exist in respect of these species.

This website provides a range of information about many weed species of relevance to Victoria. Information provided includes: maps of potential distribution and present distribution in Victoria; invasiveness assessment and impact assessment for species, and links to relevant websites for each species. This information can be accessed for each species listed under the following broad categories:

Aquatic Weeds

Trees

Shrubs

Herbs
Photo: Weeds Montage
Climbing and Creeping Herbs and Vines

Succulents

Grasses

Noxious Weed Listing

Full Listing of Weeds

A downloadable version of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (external link) is available on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website.

There are a number of participants involved in weed management in Victoria - including Federal Government; State Government; Catchment Management Authorities; private landowners/managers; local government; quasi-governmental bodies and agencies; community groups; industry research and development corporations; agricultural chemical industry; private weed consultants; and tertiary institutions.

The Pest Plants and Animals (external link) homepage on the DSE website includes information on Victorian Pest Management - a Framework for Action (VPMF) (external link). The VPMF is a Victorian State Government policy initiative that provides a comprehensive planning framework for invasive species management. It consists of seven documents - including specific strategies addressing Weed Management as well as Public Land Pest Management.

DPI Weed Information Notes

Related Links

The Weeds Australia website (external link) provides a wide range of information including: Australian Weeds Strategy, Weeds of National Significance, Weed Management and Weed Identification. Part of this Weeds Australia website provides a Weed Identification Tool for Victoria (external link) - that enables you to click on a region of interest and get a list of species likely to occur, together with information about these weeds.

Information on Weeds of National Significance - on the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website (external link).

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Australian Weed Management (external link) is working to enhance the sustainability of farming systems and the conservation status of natural ecosystems across Australia through world-class collaborative research.

A Global Compendium of Weeds (external link) is available on the Department of Agriculture of Western Australia website. At this website, you may search the nearly 300 references listing species having weedy tendencies.

Weedbusters Australia (external link) works with the community to achieve sustainable land and water management, primarily through increased public involvement in weed management, education and awareness projects.

The Weed Society of Victoria (external link) is a society for people interested in anything about any types of weeds.

The CSIRO 2005 report: "Jumping the Garden Fence - Invasive garden plants in Australia and their environmental and agricultural impacts" (external link) is available for download from the WWF Australia (external link) website.

Copies of 'Under Control - Pest Plant and Animal Management News' (external link) are available for download from the DSE website. These are quarterly publications providing information on the pest plants and animals programs of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).

Australia’s virtual herbarium (external link) provides information on plant species distribution, including weeds.

The Australian Government's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website has an Invasive Species Publications (external link) - providing downloadable publications that relate specifically to the invasive species activities of that department.. Publications include a 'Review of Progress on Invasive Species' as well as brochures and fact sheets.

The CSIRO Invasive Plants website (external link) provides information on invasive plants research as well as fact sheets, resources and publications.

References

Blood, K. (2001). Environmental weeds – a field guide for SE Australia. CRC Weed Management Systems. CH Jerram & Associates, Melbourne.

Carr G.W., Yugovic, J.V., & Robinson, K.E. (1992). Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria: Conservation and Management Implications. Department of Conservation and Environment and Environment and Ecological Horticulture Pty Ltd.

Muyt, A. (2001). Bush invaders of South-East Australia: A guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.

Sindel, B. Ed. (2000) Australian weed management systems. R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne

Walsh, N.G. and Stajsic, V. (2007). ‘A census of the vascular plants of Victoria’ 8th Ed. Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.